Parlando: The COC Blog

11/25/2016

The Opera That Changed My Life: Magic Flute Memories

As we prepare for our production of Mozart's The Magic Flute this winter, we decided to share some stories in our The Opera That Changed My Life series about one of the highlights of the opera repertoire.

Composer Basics: Matthew Aucoin

As our Ensemble Studio School Tour of Second Nature gets underway, take a moment to get to know the opera’s talented young composer, Matthew Aucoin! Second Nature is an original work by this award-winning composer, pianist, poet and conductor, who has been called "the next Leonard Bernstein" (Wall Street Journal) and "Opera's Great 25-Year-Old Hope" (New York Times). Read on to learn more about how he got his start as a young composer and his inspirations behind this eco-friendly opera.

The Ensemble Studio School Tour: Second Nature

“It was nice they didn’t have to go too far to take part in the theatre experience—our gym transformed into a theatre with very talented singers/actors and musicians.” – Candace Lombard, Holy Name Catholic School

The Ensemble Studio School Tour has officially kicked off with its production of Second Nature by Matthew Aucoin, one of America's most promising young composers. The group of talented COC Ensemble Studio artists will be travelling throughout southern Ontario, performing and educating thousands of students on the importance of opera and the performing arts. Already on the roster for this season's tour are schools in the Toronto District School Board, the Limestone District School Board, the York Region District School Board, the Peel District School Board, and the Grand Erie District School Board.

On Sunday, November 27, audiences of all ages can enjoy Second Nature in its only public performance at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre in Toronto.